San Dimas City Attorney Kenneth Brown resigns after 37 years in office

SAN DIMAS >> City Attorney Kenneth Brown announced his resignation Tuesday night, effective before the end ofJune.

It was uncertain whether elected and administrative officials knew about Brown’s announcement before the City Council meeting on Jan. 28, but it was definitely a surprise to citizens in the audience. Mayor Curt Morris and Councilmen Jeff Templeman, Emmett Badar, Denis Bertone and John Ebiner, activists and local residents surrounded Brown before the council went into executive session, voicing their gratitude for his service and dedication to the city for 37 years.

“I still enjoy the job and the people of San Dimas, but it’s time to spend more time with my grandchildren and family,” said Brown, 78. “I can sincerely say how grateful I am that you’ve allowed me to be a part of this community.”

The Cleveland, Ohio, native completed undergraduate studies at John Carroll University and then his law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He practiced law in Ohio for one year before moving to California in October 1962. After passing the California bar, he began private practice in Los Angeles in 1963.

He became city attorney in San Dimas in January 1977. Besides San Dimas, he has served other municipalities simultaneously as city attorney: Cerritos, 35 years; La Canada Flintridge, 25 years; Norwalk, 20 years and 10 years each in Signal Hill and Lawndale. He had a brief stint as San Gabriel’s city attorney and also served as special counsel for the Gold Line Authority.

“I’ve been lucky. I’ve been blessed,” said Brown, a resident of La Canada Flintridge.

He and his wife, Carol, have been married for 52 years. They have four daughters - Melissa, Kristen, Erin Kate and Megan Kathleen. They have three grandchildren, Kaylen, 14; Oliver, 8, and Zak, 3.

“We’ll be hard-pressed to find another city attorney like Ken Brown,” Bertone said. “He has been really committed to this community and is a true humanitarian. He will be missed.”

Mayor Morris, also an attorney, said Brown has been trustworthy and diligent in performing his job and advising the council.

“In all the years of my experience, I can recognize lawyers in it for more than just the money. He has been our partner. We’ve always known he cared about what he was doing. It wasn’t just a job,” Morris said, drawing applause from the audience. “We’ve been well-served.”

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“We won’t replace you,” the mayor said. “We’ll get another attorney, but we won’t be able to replace you.”